Method and machine for corrugating metal sheet

ABSTRACT

For corrugating metal sheet, a plurality of movable vises, typically three vises arranged substantially in linear series such that a flat metal sheet is extendable between the open jaws of all the vises and preferably an elongated form mounted at one end thereof and movable to and fro axially and to and fro upwardly and downwardly between upper and lower jaws of the intermediate second vise, the first and third vises being equally spaced from the intermediate second vise and each of the first and third vises being laterally movable toward one another to a predetermined closeness, the intermediate vise being movable upwardly and downwardly alternately, a preferred process including opening all vises&#39;&#39; jaws, placing a metal sheet at a position between opposing jaws of all vises, thereafter clamping closed the jaws of all vises with the first and third vises each spaced a predetermined first distance on about opposite sides of the intermediate vise, thereafter elevating the intermediate closed vise while permitting the first and third closed vises to be dragged laterally toward one-another for predetermined distances by the force transmitted through the interconnecting metal sheet extending between the intermediate closed vise and each of the first and third closed vises, the upward movement being sufficient to carry upwardly the intermediate portion of the metal sheet sufficiently for the form to subsequently move thereunder, thereafter lowering the lower jaw of the intermediate vise, thereafter axially inserting the form beneath and moving the form upwardly about flush with the upwardly bent metal plate portion beneath the upper jaw of the intermediate vise, thereafter further advancing the first and third vises toward each other sufficiently to substantially close the intermediate portion of the metal sheet flushly around the form thereafter further raising the intermediate vise&#39;&#39;s upper jaw from contact with an upper face of the intermediate bent portion of the metal sheet, thereafter opening the jaws of the first and third vises and laterally withdrawing the first and third jaws to their position at the above-stated first distance, thereafter axially withdrawing the form to its initial position, thereafter advancing the metal sheet by lateral movement of a clamped transfer vise, and thereafter opening and returning the transfer vise to its initial position.

[ Oct. 30, 1973 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR 7 CORRUGATING METAL SHEET [76] lnventor: Edsger Wybe Van Dijk, Albert; -l

Neuhuysstraat 25 Utrecht, Netherlands [22] Filed: Mar. 1, 1972 [2]] 'Appl. No.: 230,888

30] Foreign Application Priority Data 7/1912 Toddm, 72/401 Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney-William T. Hough et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT For corrugating metal sheet, a plurality of movable vises, typically three vises arranged substantially in linear series such that a flat metal sheet is extendable between the open jaws of all the vises and preferably an elongated form mounted at one end thereof and movable to and fro axially and to and fro upwardly and downwardly between upper and lower jaws of the intermediate second vise, the first and third vises being 1 equally spaced from the intermediate second vise and eachof the first and third vises being laterally movable toward one another to a predetermined closenes sTtli intermediate vise being movable upwardly and downwardly alternately, a preferred process including opening all vises jaws, placing a'metal sheet at a position between opposing jaws of all vises, thereafter clamping closed the jaws of all vises with the first and third vises each spaced a predetermined first distance on about opposite sides of the intermediate vise, thereafter elevating the intermediate closed vise while per mitting the first and third closed vises to bc dragged laterally toward one-another for predetermined distances by the force transmitted through the interconnecting metal sheet extending between the intermedi ate closed vise and each of the first and third closed vises, the upward movement being sufficient to carry upwardly the intermediate portion of the metal sheet sufficiently for the form to subsequently move there under, thereafter lowering the lower jaw of the inter mediate vise, thereafter axially inserting the form he neath and moving the form upwardly about flush with the upwardly bent metal plate portion beneath the upper jaw of the intermediate vise, thereafter further advancing the first andthird vises toward each other sufficiently to substantially close the intermediate portion of the metal sheet flushly around the form thereafter further raising the intermediate vises upper jaw from contact with an upper face of the intermediate bent portion of the metal sheet, thereafter opening the jaws of the first and third vises and laterally withdrawing the first and third jaws to their position at the above-stated first distance, thereafter axially withdrawing the form to its initial position, thereafter advancing the metal sheet by lateral movement of a clamped transfer vise, and thereafter opening and returning the transfer vise to its initial position.

8 C laims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUU 0 ms 3,768,294 SHEET 2 U1 2 I FIGI? FIG. I6

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION and costly machinery and method(s) were required for each such profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to obtain a machine and process overcoming the above-type difficulties and problems.

More particularly, an object of the present invention is to obtain a machine and process of making practically any desired shape in an economic way.

Other objects become apparent from the preceding and following disclosure.

One or more objects of the invention are obtained by the invention as defined herein.

Broadly the invention includes a plurality of normally lineally aligned vises in series, with the vises being movable and maneuverable as follows. The jaws of an intermediate one of typically three serially aligned vises are operable a predetermined distance, and the face of the jaw of at least one of the jaws of the intermediate vise conforms to a central part of its desired shape.

Also, the closed vise as a whole is movablein a plane vertical or transverse to the sheet metal commonly extendable between open jaws of the aligned jaws. The first and third vises are movable toward one-another to and fro laterally along the plane of the sheet metal (or formable plastic sheet). An additional vise movable laterally along the place of the surface of the metal sheet, or alternatively pincher rollers capable of advancing the sheet, intermittently advance the sheet between forming steps. Broadly after the vises in series clamp the sheet, the first and third vises become dragged laterally toward one-another while the intermediate second vise moves transversely (such as upward) to the sheet surface followed by withdrawal of the second vise jaw which was pushing against the now concave surface of the sheet, thereafter advancing the first and third vises further toward each other to thereby further close the partial or complete enclosure (tube-like being normally open on opposite ends), and thereafter return all three vises to their open starting positions.

THE FIGURES FIG. 1-11 show a complete working cycle to make a corrugation.

FIG. 12-14 show three phases of the making of another corrugation.

FIG. -17 show three phases of the making of the same corrugation, but in another way.

FIG. 18-20 show an application of metal sheet, corrugated accordingto the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which the metal sheet 1 has to be corrugated. It is held fast by horizontally movable clamps 3a-b and 4a-b. A vertically movable forming die beam 512 is situated under the metal sheet 1, a vertically movable counter die beam 5a is situated over it. A transversely and vertically movable folding rod 6 is situated at the side of the metal sheet 1 and the die 5b with counter die' 5a. A horizontally movable feeding clamp 2a-b has in a former working phase transported the metal sheet 1 to the position shown (see FIG. 11), and returned after that in open position to its starting position (see FIG. 1). In the example shown a separate feeding clamp 2a-b is used. It is also possible to omit it, and let clamp 3a-b do the feeding operation as well. The profiling 10 has been made in a former working cycle. Working distance of the feeding clamp 2a-b and the clamps 3a-b and 4a-b as well as their position with respect to the middle are variable by adjustable stops 7a-b-c-d, 8a-b-cd and 9a-b-c-d. In FIG. 2-10 schematic views of cross sections along A-A in FIG. 1 are shown. FIG. 11 is the same along B-B in FIG. 1 with a different position of the feeding clamp 2a-b. FIG. 2 shows in transverse section the situation of FIG. 1. As a first phase of the working cycle clamps 3ab and 4a-b are pressed towards each other. At the same time a vertical force applied to the forming die 5b moves it upwards, and when die 5b reaches counter die 5a, it takes this upwards too. The material 1 bends by the combined action of the clamps and the forming die 5b into the position shown in FIG. 3. As a second phase the forming die beam 5b is withdrawn,

see FIG. 4, while the counter die 5a remains in its place. In the third phase the folding rod 6 is moved transversely into the cavity in metal sheet 1, see FIG. 5, after which the folding rod is lifted till it reaches the top of the cavity, see FIG. 6. It is also possible in this phase to force down the counter die 5a till the metal sheet touches the folding rod 6. At the same time, see FIG. 6, the stops 8c-d and 9c-d are removed, as shown by moving them downwards, whereby the clamps 3a-b and 4a-b which were held by the stops 8c-d and 9c-d move further towards each other, see FIG. 7. The bottom sides of folding rod 6 form the next stops for clamps 3a-b and 40-h. Often it will be necessary to install separate stops here. The corrugation has now been shaped, and should be set free. In order to accomplish this the upper halves 3a and 4a of the clamps 3ab and 4a-b are lifted a bit as well as folding rod 6 and counter die 5a. The latter moves here a bit more upward till it is free from the profiling, see FIG. 8. It is also possible instead of lifting 3a and 4a to lower 3b and 4121. Clamps 3a-b and 4a-b are brought back into their initial position and the corrugation lies free, excepting the enclosing bu folding rod 6. By the elasticity of the metal sheet 1, the corrugation tends to take a distance, however small, fromthe folding rod 6, and it can be pulled away transversely, preferably after the metal sheet 1 is in its horizontal position again, see FIG. 10. At the same time upper half 4a of clamp 4a-b has been lifted so high, that corrugation 10 can pass under it to the right. Stops 8c-d and 9c-d are also brought in their initial position. Metal sheet 1 with its new corrugation is :now pushed to the right as feeding clamp 2a-b, which as shown in FIG. 1 was opened in its utmost left position, shuts and moves to the right, where it is stopped by stops 7c-d, see FIG.

11. After this phase clamps 3a-b and 4a-b are closed,

In manufacturing the mainly triangular corrugation of FIG. l-l l the combination of a counter die beam 5a and a folding rod 6 is necessary for a good result. There are however many corrugations where only one of the two is necessary. An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 12-14 (only a counter die) and FIG. -17 (only a folding rod). Not all phases are shown here. The phase shown in FIG. 13 and 15 corresponds with that of FIG. 1 and 2, that of FIG. 13 and 16 with the phase of FIGS. 4 and 5, and the phase shown in FIG. 14 and 17 corresponds with that of FIG. 7.

The foremost parts 11b and 12b of two more stops which limit the ultimate movement of the clamps 3a-b and 4a-b towards the middle are shown.

In FIG. 18-20 an application is illustrated of the corrugation 10, see FIG. 19, made according to FIG.-

12-14 or FIG. 14-17. In FIG. 18 a low cost-high efficiency radiator is shown. It consists of a system of round pipes, see FIG. 20, with straight pipe parts 14, upon which by snap action metal sheet 13 is fastened, see FIG. 19. This has been partially provided with corrugations 10, while the flat ends of the sheet have been bent as illustrated. Together with a cover 15 and a bottom 16', see FIG. 18, the radiator is complete. In order to keep up a high standard of exactness of the corrugations it will often be necessary to take into account the specific properties of the metal sheet handled, for instance its elasticity. With great elasticity considerable spring back from the folded position as shown in FIG. 7, l4 and 17 is possible. This may be neutralised by adapting the shape of forming die 5b, counter die 5a, folding rod 6 and the adjustment of the stops. It may also be favourable in this case not to clamp the metal sheet horizontally in the clamps 3a-b and 4a-b, but to let the clamping planes slope upwards towards the middle, so that after the spring back has occurred, the metal sheet 1 with its corrugations 10 may remain horizontal. In order to avoid damaging of metal sheet 1 during its introduction into the hollow of counter die 5a, see FIG. 12-14, the lower side of counter die 5a may consist of two symmetric parts which move towards each other horizontally when the metal sheet 1 is introduced while forming die 5b comes up.

Many constructional variations are possible as well. Although hydraulic forces are preferred to move the different parts, other means of acting upon them may be used. Also for instance the forming die 51; may be used as a support for the folding rod 6 when inserting it from the side. It is also possible in many cases to make the folding rod 6 the loose top of the forming die 5b. In this case when withdrawing the forming die 5b (FIG. 3) the folding rod 6 may remain fixed in its highest position. After folding the metal sheet 1 around the folding rod 6 and loosening the corrugation 10, the folding rod may be pulled away transversely after which it is lowered till forming die 51; height is reached and then be pushed transversely so that it will form a loose top of the forming die 5b again.

All constructions according to the invention however always use a counter die 5a and/or a folding rod 6.

The preceding description is not exhaustive of all embodiments of the invention, but merely illustrative for improved understanding.

I claim:

1. A machine for corrugating a formable sheet, comprising in combination: a plurality of about lineally aligned vises each having opposing upper and lower jaws including at least first, second, and third vises, the first and third vises being movable to and fro toward and away-from each other along a plane in which a formable sheet surface is extendable commonly and concurrently between the opposing jaws of the first, second, and third vises, and the intermediate second vise being movable to and fro transversely to said plane of said sheet surface, and when said second vise is opened said first and third vises being movable along said plane between opposing open jaws of said second vise; and including an elongated form having a flattened face between opposite sides mounted at one end thereof and movable to and fro axially and to and fro transversely to said plane, said elongated form being axially movable to a position intermediate between said first and third vises when said second vises jaws are open and spaced from between said first and third vises.

2. A machine of claim 1, including elongated form means for moving said elongated form to a position between open opposing jaws of said second vise and for thereafter moving the elongated forms flattened face transversely to said plane into substantially axially parallel relationship with a clamping face of one of the second vise jaws, and first and third vise means for thereafter converging said first and third vises toward oneanother when in a closed state to positions adjacent each respectively of said opposite sides.

3. A machine of claim 2, in which said first and third vise means is further for opening jaws respectively of the first and third vises subsequent to said converging and for thereafter diverging said first and third vises from one-another; and additionally including second vise means for moving the jaw which is in juxtaposition to the elongated form, to a position further away from the flattened face subsequent to said diverging, and said elongated from means further being for axially withdrawing said elongated form subsequent to said diverging.

4. A machine of claim 3, including stop-limiting means for blocking converging movement of closed first and third vises after a predetermined amount of converging along said plane when said second vise in a closed state moves transversely from between said first and third closed vises.

5. A machine according to claim 4, including a sheetadvancing means for advancing intermittently the sheet between forming operations of the machine.

6. A process comprising in combination: gripping a formable sheet at at-least three consecutive points in about linear series along about a common plane, utilizing first, second, and third vises having upper and lower jaws for effecting said grasping; during said gripping, moving said second gripping vise transversely to said plane while said first and third gripping means move toward one-another convergingly; thereafter opening jaws of said second vise including moving the jaw nearest said plane such that said first and third vises are movable laterally between said open jaws in converging directions about parallel to said plane; converging said first and third vises toward one-another and between said open jaws of said second vise; opening jaws of said first and third vises; and thereafter returning said first and third vises divergingly away from one-another to about original starting positions; and including axially inserting an elongated form beneath the moved portion of the sheet to a position adjacent to and flush with the ing movement of said closed first and third vises after a predetermined amount of converging along said plane when said second vise is in a closed state and in said closed state the second vise moves transversely from between said first and third closed vises.

8. A process according to claim 7, including, subsequent to said returning, advancing said sheet a predetermined distance between open jaws of said first, second, and third vises. 

1. A machine for corrugating a formable sheet, comprising in combination: a plurality of about lineally aligned vises each having opposing upper and lower jaws including at least first, second, and third vises, the first and third vises being movable to and fro toward and away-from each other along a plane in which a formable sheet surface is extendable commonly and concurrently between the opposing jaws of the first, second, and third vises, and the intermediate second vise being movable to and fro transversely to said plane of said sheet surface, and when said second vise is opened said first and third vises being movable along said plane between opposing open jaws of said second vise; and including an elongated form having a flattened face between opposite sides mounted at one end thereof and movable to and fro axially and to and fro transversely to said plane, said elongated form being axially movable to a position intermediate between said first and third vises when said second vise''s jaws are open and spaced from between said first and third vises.
 2. A machine of claim 1, including elongated form means for moving said elongated form to a position between open opposing jaws of said second vise and for thereafter moving the elongated form''s flattened face transversely to said plane into substantially axially parallel relationship with a clamping face of one of the second vise jaws, and first and third vise means for thereafter converging said first and third vises toward one-another when in a closed state to positions adjacent each respectively of said opposite sides.
 3. A machine of claim 2, in which said first and third vise means is further for opening jaws respectively of the first and third vises subsequent to said converging and for thereafter diverging said first and third vises from one-another; and additionally including second vise means for moving the jaw which is in juxtaposition to the elongated form, to a position further away from the flattened face subsequent to said diverging, and said elongated from means further being for axially withdrawing said elongated form subsequent to said diverging.
 4. A machine of claim 3, including stop-limiting means for blocking converging movement of closed first and third vises after a predetermined amount of converging along said plane when said second vise in a closed state moves transversely from between said first and third closed vises.
 5. A machine according to claim 4, including a sheet-advancing Means for advancing intermittently the sheet between forming operations of the machine.
 6. A process comprising in combination: gripping a formable sheet at at-least three consecutive points in about linear series along about a common plane, utilizing first, second, and third vises having upper and lower jaws for effecting said grasping; during said gripping, moving said second gripping vise transversely to said plane while said first and third gripping means move toward one-another convergingly; thereafter opening jaws of said second vise including moving the jaw nearest said plane such that said first and third vises are movable laterally between said open jaws in converging directions about parallel to said plane; converging said first and third vises toward one-another and between said open jaws of said second vise; opening jaws of said first and third vises; and thereafter returning said first and third vises divergingly away from one-another to about original starting positions; and including axially inserting an elongated form beneath the moved portion of the sheet to a position adjacent to and flush with the sheet on a side of the sheet adjacent the moved jaw of the second vise and moveing the inserted elongated form transversely to said plane toward the remaining opposing jaw of the second vise before said advancing of said first and third vises convergingly toward one-another; prior to said returning, moving said remaining jaw transversely to said plane away from said form; and subsequent to said returning, axially withdrawing said form to about an original position existing before said inserting.
 7. A process of claim 6, including blocking converging movement of said closed first and third vises after a predetermined amount of converging along said plane when said second vise is in a closed state and in said closed state the second vise moves transversely from between said first and third closed vises.
 8. A process according to claim 7, including, subsequent to said returning, advancing said sheet a predetermined distance between open jaws of said first, second, and third vises. 